Gennady Golovkin's star rises with every knockout

FILE - In this May 11, 2012 file photo, WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin of Kazakhstan posing for a photo at the official weigh-in in Kiev, Ukraine. Golovkin is taking his one-man demolition show to the bright lights of Manhattan. The Kazakh middleweight with fearsome knockout power hopes a win over Gabriel Rosado this weekend will boost his rising star. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)
— AP

FILE - In this May 11, 2012 file photo, WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin of Kazakhstan posing for a photo at the official weigh-in in Kiev, Ukraine. Golovkin is taking his one-man demolition show to the bright lights of Manhattan. The Kazakh middleweight with fearsome knockout power hopes a win over Gabriel Rosado this weekend will boost his rising star. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)
/ AP

"Gennady is the best middleweight out there, no disrespect intended to Sergio," said Tom Loeffler, K2's managing director. "Gennady beats all of them. We're trying to get him into a position to prove that, and after his recognition goes up this year, he's going to explode."

Golovkin is doing everything possible to get his name out to American fight fans, including wearing a New York Rangers jersey to this week's news conference. Saturday's fights are expected to sell out, and Golovkin knows he would benefit from a dramatic knockout of Rosado, a brash veteran underdog who was the best opponent Golovkin could get, according to Loeffler.

"In his fights, he's so destructive that you really don't get to see Gennady," Sanchez said. "I think this fight is going to be quick, too. But if it isn't, at least people will get to see more of what he can do."

Sanchez spent three full years altering Golovkin's conventional European counterpunching style, adding North American aggressiveness and flair to his fighter's game. The result is Golovkin's intriguing hybrid approach in the ring, allowing him to throw big shots from all angles while pressing his opponents.

Golovkin's everyday weight is usually within a few pounds of his fighting weight, which is why he can eat a Greek salad slathered in beef for his lunch. Along with his fitness and technique, Golovkin exhibits a joy in boxing that's difficult to teach and even more difficult to fake.

Just as Manny Pacquiao appears to relish the toughest moments in a good brawl, Golovkin's love for fighting is obvious from his ring demeanor and work ethic. He did two lengthy sparring sessions on New Year's Eve before enjoying a brief party with his friends in Big Bear, eating Mexican food and waiting for the first day of the biggest year of his life.

"Training is tough, so that makes the fight easy for me," Golovkin said. "I feel ready for the fight already. I can't wait to get in the ring."